Willkie Deal Honored with Club des Trente Award

Willkie advised Bonduelle on its private placement, which was recognized as the "Corporate Finance Transaction of the Year (2012)."

On May 15, at an awards ceremony in Paris, Willkie client Bonduelle, the world’s leading producer of processed vegetables, was honored with the prestigious Club des Trente's award for "Corporate Finance Transaction of the Year (2012)." The award recognizes Bonduelle’s €145 million private placement of senior, unsecured bonds, announced in September 2012.

The bonds were issued and listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris, making Bonduelle the first French company to have completed a private placement of publicly traded bonds with European institutional investors without the benefit of a public rating. In response to investor demand, the issue was increased from the initially contemplated €100 million to €145 million. This innovative deal is recognized for having opened the way for a number of similar financings.

The deal was handled by partner Eduardo Fernandez and associate David Lambert.